Deal with Depression…without feeling defeated.

Are you losing interest in the things you used to love and struggling to get motivated on the smallest of tasks?

Maybe you’ve been feeling this way for a while and just can’t see how it’ll get any better?

It can be really tough understanding depression when you’re going through it; your thoughts and feelings may not make sense to you but that doesn’t stop them being intense, painful and hard to talk about with family and friends.

Everyone experiences depression differently; some people notice the physical effects – your body might feel heavy like you’re ‘wading through mud’ and everything (even getting up in the morning) can feel like a huge effort. For others it’s a more gradual; maybe you’re still able to work and do the things you need to do but it feels like you’re on ‘auto-pilot’, just going through the motions and losing interest in the things you use to enjoy.

You might have no idea why you’re feeling like this or you may have a hunch but still don’t know how to overcome it. For most people, feelings of depression improve over time and counselling can help speed up the process by putting you back in control of what can feel like an overpowering condition. Read on to find out how we could do that.

Contact Me / Book a Session Now

I’m sleeping better now and I’m more sociable. I’m able to pinpoint issues that are troubling me, and evaluate what is most important to me. The sessions allowed me to put my thoughts in order and helped me shape my own responses. I’m just pleased there was a way to resolve my problems without having to resort to medication.” Male client, Teacher, South Wales

It can be difficult asking for help…

But despite feeling alone with depression it’s surprisingly common – around 10% of adults experience depression in a year and this figure is a lot higher amongst older people*. This shows it’s not just a personal problem but has something to do with the way we live – often carrying on and making the best of a situation, whilst hiding feelings of guilt or shame and getting further away from ourselves and the things we need to feel better.

Depression is a message that something isn’t working out in our lives. Hidden under the confusion and self-criticism of depression can be other problems; work, relationships, how you manage your thoughts and feelings and, importantly, how you see yourself. If you have depression you might also notice anxiety and low confidence or self-esteem, it could follow a bereavement or loss, or your symptoms may be masked by addiction or compulsive behaviour.

As confusing and hopeless as this feels it is possible to understand and deal with what you’re going through. I can help you look at the role your thoughts play in your depression; how it’s possible to get locked into a vicious cycle of negative thinking triggering negative emotions that drive you further into depression. It helps to have someone ‘by our side’ at these times, someone who can understand your feelings of loneliness and despair.

*Statistics taken from The Mental Health Foundation.

How We’ll Work

In our session’s we’ll work in these three ways;

1) We’ll look at what is happening:-
Your thoughts, feelings, relationships and life circumstances, no matter how complicated they are, we’ll work to understand how they’re connected.

2) Then we’ll look at what isn’t happening:-
The areas of your life that aren’t as you want them to be. This can be difficult but don’t worry – we’ll do this together and at your own pace.

3) Then we’ll put into practice what you’ve learnt:-
Over the course of our work we’ll uncover the strengths and resources you do have and combine that with what you’ve learnt about yourself and your needs. You’ll learn ways to balance your thoughts and feelings to help you make new choices and feel more connected, satisfied and happier in the life you lead.

If you think you’d benefit from some support with your depression, please don’t suffer alone, get in touch.